The Great Escaper (2023)

Michael Caine as Bernard Jordan stands on a boat, saluting the camera. On the deck above him is the ships crew, also saluting. Caine wears a navy blazer with war medals, green cardigan, blue shirt and green striped tie.

Michael Caine in The Great Escaper (2023) © Pathe

Director: Oliver Parker
Writer:
William Ivory
Starring:
Michael Caine, Glenda Jackson
Production Company:
Ecosse Films, BBC Films, Filmgate Films, Ingenious, Pathe UK
Kent Locations Used:
Port of Dover, Dover, Abbot’s Cliff

Inspired by true events, The Great Escaper (2023) chronicles the story of WWII veteran Bernard Jordan, who masterminded a ‘great escape’ from his care home in order to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in France.

Written by BAFTA-nominee William Ivory (Made in Dagenham, Truckers) and directed by BAFTA-nominee Oliver Parker (Johnny English Reborn (2011), St. Trinian’s), the film stars Michael Caine (Children of Men (2006), King of Thieves (2018)) as Bernard Jordan and Glenda Jackson (Elizabeth R (1971), Women in Love) as his wife Irene in her last role.

Production visited Dover to film at the Port of Dover ferry terminal, as well as on Abbot’s Cliff and Folkestone Road.

The Port of Dover is the busiest passenger port in Europe and includes a freight terminal, two cruise terminals, a yachting marina, harbour wall, lighthouses and seafront promenade. Recent productions to have filmed there include After Love (2021), Season 1 of The Rook (2019), and Next of Kin (2018).

Situated between Folkestone and Dover, Abbot’s Cliff comprises of a WWII sound mirror and isolated single-track lane on top of white cliffs. Back to Life (2019-2021), King Lear (2018) and King of Thieves (2018) also filmed here.

The Great Escaper (2023) will be releasing in UK cinemas on Friday 6th October.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.  


King of Thieves (2018)

 

King of Thieves Movie Poster with pink background and main actors faces in the shape of a diamond.

King of Thieves Movie Poster ©IMDb

 

Writer: Joe Penhall

Director: James Marsh

Starring: Michael Caine, Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay

Production Company: Working Title Films

Kent Locations Used: The Harbour Arm, Turner Contemporary, Wig and Pen Pub, Nayland Rock Hotel, Margate train station, and Dover

Feature film King of Thieves is based on the infamous Hatton Garden Robbery, in which a crew of retired crooks pull off a major heist in London’s jewelry district. The thieves, most of them in their 60s and 70s, employ their old-school tricks of the trade to plan the heist over the Easter holiday weekend of 2015. After taking over £200 million worth of jewels, arguments erupt in the group as the police start to move in on the group.

Starring Michael Cain (The Dark Knight, the quiet American, The Prestige) as widower Brian Reader, Michael Gambon  (The Kings speech, Harry Potter) as Billy ‘The Fish’ Lincoln. Tom Courtenay (45 years, Nicholas Nickleby) as John Kenny Collins.

A short scene was filmed at the footbridge that leads to Shakespeare’s Beach in Aycliffe, Dover, but the main bulk of the scenes were filmed in and around Margate, including scenes at the Wig and Pen Pub, the Nayland Rock Hotel, Harbour Arm in Margate, outside the Turner Contemporary, and a scene at Margate Train Station.

Margate is a popular film location for films and has recently featured in film productions such as King Lear (2018), The Carer (2016) and True Love (2012).

Dover, where production filmed a small scene, is the site of the famous white cliffs of Dover and has been used in films such as Sherlock Holmes (2011).

The film will be released in cinemas on Friday 14th September 2018.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 


Is Anybody There? (2009)

Is Anybody There? Film Poster- a man and a child stood in front of a white wooden bus shelter with a blue bench. Is Anybody There? written in yellow underneath

Is Anybody There? Film Poster © Optimum Releasing

Director: John Crowley 

Writer: Peter Harness 

Starring: Michael Caine, Bill Milner, David Morrissey, Anne-Marie Duff, Ralph Riach

Production Company: Heyday Films, BBC Films, Big Beach

Kent Filming Locations: Hythe, Folkestone Central Train Station and St Peter’s CEP School in Folkestone

Set in the 1980’s, Is Anybody There? is about a young boy called Edward (Bill Milner) growing up in an old people’s home. Whilst his parents struggle with their personal problems, Edward becomes obsessed with ghosts and the afterlife. Arming himself with his trusted tape recorder and camera, he tapes the residents in his quest to find out more about what happens to people when they die.

Living a fairly solitary existence, Edward strikes up a friendship with resident magician and rebel Clarence (Michael Caine). The pair become good friends, teaching each other to live each day in the present and how to come to terms with the past.

In 2007, the production visited several Kent locations including Folkestone Central Train Station which doubled as a Yorkshire train station  Princes Parade in Hythe was turned into Yorkshire for two days where they used the sea-shelter as a bus shelter (see the movie poster!) and the road was used for the scenes where Clarence (Michael  Caine) and Edward (Bill Milner) are pushing the vehicle along the sea road after the crash.

Filming on Princes Parade in Hythe - green double decker bus on the road with crew and filming equipment on the pavement

Filming on Princes Parade in Hythe © Kent Film Office

Produced by the same company who bring Harry Potter to the big screen, the film also visited St Peter’s CEP School,  Folkestone where the children themselves were extras for a day! To thank them for their time and help they were rewarded with signed posters from the main cast of Harry Potter and Michael Caine signed their school mural.

The seaside town of Folkestone has an elegant clifftop promenade, a lower coastal park, a fishing harbour and Victorian cliff-top lifts. Hythe is a small coastal town situated between Folkestone and the Romney Marsh. The area has featured in a wide range of productions including Future Tense: The Story of H.G. Wells (2016), The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016) and Everyone’s Going To Die (2013).

The film was released on 1st May 2009 and is now available to buy on DVD.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 


Children of Men (2006)

Clive Owen and Julianne Moore stood facing each other having a conversation in the Slip roof at Chatham Dockyards

Clive Owen and Julianne Moore in the Slip roof at Chatham Dockyards © Jaap Buitendijk ©2006 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Writer: Alfonso Cuaron, Timothy J Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby

Starring: Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore, Pam Ferris, Clare- Hope Ashitey

Production Company: Universal Pictures, Strike Entertainment,Hit & Run Productions, Ingenious Film Partners 2, Toho-Towa

Kent Filming Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Adapted from P.D James’ novel of the same title, Children of Men is set in 2027, eighteen years after global human infertility has begun. The youngest citizen of the world has died at the age of 18 and in a world without children, or the possibility of children, there is no hope. Miraculously a young woman named Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) falls pregnant against all expectation and a dormant activist, Theo (Clive Owen) is forced to decide whether he will fight for humanity’s survival by protecting mother and child or leave her to fend for herself.

Directed and written by Alfonso Cuarón (Great Expectations, Gravity) and starring Clive Owen (Sin City, The Knick) Julianne Moore (The Kids Are All Right, Still Alice), Michael Caine (The Dark Knight, Inception), Pam Ferris (Call The Midwife, Luther) and Clare- Hope Ashitey (Exodus, All Is by My Side).

The production filmed at Slip 3 at The Historic Dockyard Chatham is the setting for the rebel safe house where Julian first enlists Theo’s help to protect Kee, a young, Fijian woman who needs to leave the country. Will she make it out in time to give birth to the first child born in 19 years?

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Kent’s most popular filming destinations previously hosting productions such as Call the Midwife (2012-2013), Les Miserables (2013) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

Children of Men was released in cinemas in September 2006 and is now available to buy on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 


Last Orders (2002)

Last Orders Movie Poster - 6 cast members stood in a circle laughing at each other in a pub. Last Orders written in white

Last Orders Movie Poster © Metrodome Distribution Ltd.

Director: Fred Schepisi

Writer: Graham Swift (Novel) and Fred Schepisi

Starring: Michael Caine, Helen Mirren, Ray Winston, David Hemmings, Bob Hoskins, Tom Courtenay

Production Company: Future Films, MBP, Scala Productions, Winchester Films 

Kent Locations: Rochester, the Historic War Memorial in Chatham, The Mount – Old Wives Lees near Chilham, Canterbury Cathedral, Margate

Last Orders is based on the novel of the same name by Graham Swift, and tells the story of how one man’s death affects the lives of those close to him as his best friends make a journey to pursue his final wish to have his ashes scattered at sea.

Throughout the journey, Jack’s companions share their own individual memories of him and how he made an impact on their lives. Flashbacks are used throughout the film stretching through six decades telling the story of the group of London pals as they make their heart felt journey to say goodbye to their friend.

Directed by Fred Schepisi (Six Degrees of Separation, A Cry in the Dark) and starring a host of acting talent including Michael Caine (The Italian Job, Batman Begins), Ray Winston (The Departed, The Sweeney), Bob Hoskins (Made in Dagenham, Ruby Blue), David Hemmings (The Rainbow Jacket, Gangs of New York), Tom Courtenay (Doctor Zhivago, The Golden Compass) and Helen Mirren (Calendar Girls, The Queen).

Rochester was used as a stop off during the friend’s journey and you can see them drive over Rochester Bridge and also walk down the high street. Rochester is a historic City that boasts an impressive cathedral and castle and has many links with Charles Dickens. Previous productions to have filmed in the area include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012)and Veer (2009).

The Historic War Memorial in Chatham features in film for the scenes where the men stop off and reminisce about their time at war. Nearby, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a popular location having been used for productions such as Dom Hemingway (2013) Call The Midwife (2012-2013) and Children of Men (2006).

The Mount in Old Wives Lees was also one of the stop offs on the groups journey and is used for the flashback scenes of how Jack met his wife Amy. Neighboring village to Chilham, has a remarkable fifteenth century square of black and white timbered buildings and has been used for a variety of filming projects including Channel 4 comedy Chickens (2011)and Miss Marple – The Moving Finger (2005).

Canterbury Cathedral was used within the film as the characters make a stop to the grounds and look around the Cathedral. Canterbury is a vibrant City with parks and open spaces, shopping areas and neighbouring quaint, traditional towns. Previous productions that have shot in Canterbury include Canterbury Tales (2003).

Margate features in the final scenes of the film where the men scatter Jack’s ashes from the harbor arm. Margate is a delightful seaside town with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, and period housing. The Old Town has lots to offer including galleries, quirky shops and trendy cafes. Margate is a popular location having previously welcomed productions such as BBC One’s improvised drama True Love (2012).

Last Orders was released in UK cinemas in January 2002 and is now available to buy on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 


The Black Windmill (1974)

Production poster- Michael Cane with his hands on his stomach in front of a purple background, Michael Cane The Black Windmill written in white

The Black Windmill poster © Universal Pictures

Director: Don Siegel
Writer: Leigh Vance (screenplay), Clive Egleton (novel)
Starring: Michael Caine, Donald Pleasence, Delphine Seyrig
Production Company: Universal Pictures
Kent Locations Used: Ramsgate Hover port, Pegwell Bay

The Black Windmill (1974) is a thriller about British agent Tarrant (Michael Caine) whose son has been kidnapped and is being held ransom for diamonds. Tarrant finds out that the people he thought he could trust are no longer on his side to help his son and desperately works to do all he can to get him home safely.

 

The screenplay was adapted by Leigh Vance (The Saint – Season 5 (1967), Switch), based on Clive Egleton‘s novel, ‘Seven Days to a Killing’.

The film is directed by Don Siegel (Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz) with Michael Caine (Battle of Britain (1969), Last Orders (2002)) taking the lead role along Donald Pleasence (Halloween, The Great Escape) and Delphine Seyrig (The Day of the Jackal, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles).

The production visited Ramsgate Hover port at Pegwell Bay to film the scene where Tarrant makes his way across the channel and sneaks onto a bus on board the hovercraft.

Formerly the home of Ramsgate Hover Port, Pegwell Bay is now a National Nature Reserve offering distinctive sea cliffs, parking, toilets, a cafe/restaurant and picnic areas.

The Thanet area has featured in a variety of productions such as EastEnders (2015), True Love (2012) and The Big Sleep (1978).

The Black Windmill (1974) was released on Friday 2nd of August 1974 and is now available on DVD and online.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.


Battle of Britain (1969)

Battle of Britain movie poster- montage of characters from the film in square boxes, Battle of Britain written in red on top with a sun set scene of a town skyline above

Battle of Britain © United Artists

Director: Guy Hamilton
Writer: James Kennaway, Wilfred Greatorex, Derek Dempster, Derek Wood.
Starring: Michael Caine, Trevor Howard , Harry Andrews, Christopher Plummer
Production Company: Spitfire Productions
Kent Locations Used: Denton, The Jackdaw Inn (Denton), Chilham, RAF Hawkinge

Set in 1940, Battle of Britain (1969) film tells the tale of the epic battle of Britain. Nazi Germany is attacking the airfields of the south east as part of Operation Sea Lion, and in order to stop the enemy from achieving their goals for invasion, the British Royal Air force must fight a desperate battle for control of the skies.

With death defying aerial acrobatics, this historical re-enactment takes the audience to the heart of World War II. With the Luftwaffe advancing onto London, the RAF must gather their destroyed resources and launch a critical attack.

Starring Michael Caine (The Dark Knight, The Prestige), this feature was not to be his last visit to the county: the actor returned in Is Anybody There? (2009), the touching story of the friendship between a young boy and a retired magician, which was filmed in Folkestone and Hythe.

Battle of Britain featured some of the best of Kent’s locations. The village of Chilham was mentioned on fictional signs at the control centre at the end of the film. A popular filming location in the county, Chilham is most famous for appearing in Agatha Christie adaptations. Miss Marple: The Moving Finger (2005) was filmed almost entirely in the village and it was also home for a special Christmas episode of Poirot (1995).

Another Kent Village, Denton, appeared in the film. The local pub, The Jackdaw Inn, had a cameo as the scene for Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music, Beginners) and his on-screen wife, giving the audience an insight into the personal effects of war. The Jackdaw Inn has a room devoted to RAF World War II memorabilia and is a must see for any history buff.

RAF Hawkinge was the obvious choice as a location for the film. With a rich military history, the site is now a museum with the largest collection of Battle of Britain artefacts on show in the country.

Battle of Britain (1969) was released on Monday 15th September 1969 and is now available to buy on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.